WELCOME back to retro city, where reminiscing is the name of the game, and old photos act as a looking glass back to the days of ‘our world’.

There's much to get through this week, so I'll get straight into TRM Trawler corner with the Oldham M153.

A steel-sided trawler, built in 1898 in Glasgow. 165 tons. 104 ' long.

Landed at Milford from March 1928 to June 1933.

Local owners…Robert Hancock, Hill Street, Hakin; Norman R Garret , C.E. Ebbesen, Shakespeare Avenue, Milford.

Skippers…Walter Wales , Frank Pettit.

In Dec 1914 she was requisitioned by the Admiralty.

Two major incidents were reported in local newspapers, first from the WW Guardian, August, 1928.

"Shortly after eleven o'clock on Sunday night, the steam trawler Oldham, of Milford Haven, ran aground on the Carrig Rocks, off Greenore Point, near Rosslare Harbour.

“The trawler burned flares as signals of distress, and in response, the Rosslare Harbour lifeboat proceeded at once to the scene. When the lifeboat arrived, the trawler's crew of 10 had got out their small boat, and were making preparations to abandon the vessel.

“It was blowing a moderate gale, with heavy seas and rain, and there was a bad ground swell.

“The Oldham was in a very dangerous position, as she was surrounded by submerged rocks, but luckily, the tide was rising, and consequent on the lifeboat coxswain's offer to make an effort to tow the vessel off into deep water, the crew decided to remain on board.

“The Oldham was eased gently off the rocks into deep water, and was piloted to Rosslare Harbour by the lifeboat. The trawler does not show any signs of serious damage, and is not leaking. The crew of the lifeboat are claiming £200 salvage money."

Then, five years later, in July 1933, the Oldham was not so lucky, as this incident report from the Pembs' Telegraph confirms.

"On Sunday night, the Milford Haven steam trawler, Oldham, foundered, when fishing off the Pembs coast, but the crew of 11 were saved by another trawler, and conveyed to Milford Haven.

“The skipper of the Oldham, Capt Frank Pettit, Shakespeare Ave, said that at 10 minutes past 10 on Sunday night, when fishing off St Ann's Head, the Ch Engr reported to him that the water was fast entering the engine room. ‘I at once began an investigation,’ said Capt Pettit, ‘and could see that the water was rising rapidly, and that nothing could be done to prevent it. I ordered the crew to take to the small boat, but before leaving the trawler, I sounded the siren, and another vessel, the Hawthorn, came alongside, and took us out of the small boat. We were aboard the Hawthorn by 20 past 10, and a few minutes later, the Oldham sank bows first’."

Here's a snap of her.

Now let's take another quick peek at Old Pill Boy's wonderful recollections from wartime Milford.

"On the seaward side of Black Bridge, is a large pool, gouged out by the water coming through the sluice gate from the Hilton side of the bridge. We used to swim there, catch crabs, and altogether spend more time there than at the swimming pool on the Rath.

“It was called The Baisley, and it was many years later I found out why.

“When talking to my eldest sister about the forward thinking of certain sections of the medical profession of that time, the conversation turned to allowing people with impaired mental capacity to be allowed out in public, and the benefit they would receive from this. In actual fact, it turned out to have been a benefit to us as children.

“She recalled a chap called Jack Baisley (not sure of the spelling) who was given this benefit, and used his time collecting large stones, which he used to construct a curved wall around the pool at Black Bridge, so enhancing the work done by nature.

“Thank you Jack."

We'll return for more from Old Pill Boy some other time, but that particular Black Bridge recollection reminded of my good pal Mel Horn, who, about 20 years ago, penned a tale called Seems like only yesterday, which I used in my charity book…Giggles Galore.

Here's a snippet from Mel's piece.

"The Baisley, at Black Bridge, was a magnet to which we were irresistibly drawn when the tide was out, so many rocks to look under, crabs to catch. Unbelievably (but true) I once caught a plaice there with my bare hands, and brought it home in a tin, only to be made to bring it back and let it go. Parents!"

And here's a photo of Black Bridge, a mere stone's throw away from The Baisley.

Now for our teasers, the answer to last week's was THREE, as spotted by regulars…Les Haynes, Margaret Jones, Phil Jones, Joan Earles, Tricia and Alan Hawthorn, Joyce Layton, and Anne and Jets Llewellyn.

Thanks to everyone who had a go.

No TRM next week, but keep those brain cells well-oiled ‘til I'm back.

I thought I'd leave you with a photo of another of the ships broken up at Wards Yard, this one being HMS Rothesay, which, according to Ivor Day's list, was finally laid to rest in Jan 1957.

Built in Dumbarton in 1928. 360' in length, it had the capacity for 1,500 passengers, 296 cattle and eight horses. Was at Juno Beach on D-Day with 10 landing craft and 250 troops.

And that's one more TRM completed, ready for my half a dozen followers to enjoy over their coffee and garibaldis...which reminds me...I'm starving! See you.